The mighty WILL DOWNING returns in July with a brand new album, ‘Black Pearls’. Released on Shanachie, the set promises real intrigue. You see the all the songs are covers of famous female soul recordings! So expect fireworks as Mr D croons through classics like ‘Don’t Ask My Neighbours’, Nights Over Egypt’, ‘Don’t Let It Go To Your Head’ and the relatively unknown Phyllis Hyman song, ‘Meet Me On The Moon’ .
Will says: “Phyllis Hyman started this whole project. I was having a conversation with a friend who also worked with Phyllis. We both agreed that ‘Meet Me On The Moon’ was our favourite Phyllis tune. My friend suggested I remake it. I called my keyboardist/arranger Mike Logan to help with the song. After completing it, I thought maybe this is a great opportunity to pay tribute to other female artists that I have always loved. That’s how ‘Black Pearls’ was born!”
The album’s first single is a version of Cherrelle’s 1988 hit ‘Everything I Miss At Home’, and it’s clear that “The Prince of Sophisticated Soul” is back at his best!
